Houseb



F. H. ETzENF-iousER DRAIN VALVE Filed Aug. 22.

Patented July 1, W24.

FRED H. ETZENHQUSER, 01F MOUNT WASHINGTON, MISSOURI.

DRAIN VALVE.

Application filed August 22, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F RED H. ETZEN- HOUSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Washington, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Drain Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drain valves. It is particularly well adapted for use for draining automobile radiators, boilers, tanks and other liquid containers.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a valve of the kind described which is self-cleaning, which has large drainage capacity, which is not liable to stick or clog, which is not liable to be jarred open,.which is simple, cheap to make, durable and not liable to get out of order, and which may be readily substituted for the usual drain cock now in use, without alteration of the radiator to which it is applied.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel and reliable means for supporting the valve in the open position.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the preferred embodiment of my invention, the valve being shown in solid lines in the open position and in dotted lines in the closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the valve being shown supported on the upper end of the tube in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a reduced elevation of the valve shown in Fig. 1, as applied to an automobile radiator, a portion of which is broken away.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1 designates a vertical tube, externally threaded at its upper end and adapted to be screwed into a threaded hole in the bottom of a radiator 2.

The upper end of the valve tube 1 has a conical internal seat 3 to which is fitted a conical valve 4 provided with a stem 5 which extends downwardly through the lower and outer end of the tube 1, and which has t l wer portion ormed into a spiral or Serial No. 494,076.

transversely divided ring 6, which is adapted, when the valve 4 is lifted to the open position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, to have slipped into it the lower edge and one side of the tube 1. The ring portion 6 is preferably resilient and is adapted to be spread by the tube 1 so that the ring releasably clamps the tube and holds the valve reliably in the open position. For this purpose the ring portion 6 is vertically disposed, that is, disposed longitudinally relative to the stem as shown. The ring portion 6 also serves as a finger hold with which to grasp and manipulate the valve stem and valve body.

In the operation of this form of my invention, in opening the valve, the stem 5 is forced upwardly tounseat the valve, and the ring portion 6 is slipped over the lower end of the tube 1, to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, so as to tightly clamp the tube and thus hold the valve open. The water will then be drained from the radiator 2 through the tube 1, the stem 5 (of small diameter) being the only obstruction to the flow. To close the valve, the ring portion 6 is pulled downwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby seating the valve in the seat 3. With the use of this device a flow of large capacity is obtainable, and the tube is self cleaning and not liable to be clogged.

In Fig. 2, the valve 4: is shown supported in the open position on the upper end of the tube 1. When the valve is so supported, the finger ring 6 is used only to operate the valve.

The valve is adapted, when released from its supporting means to be closed by the liquid pressure in the radiator, if it contains liquid, or by gravity. If desired, however, the valve may be pulled to its seat by means of the ring 6.

I do not limit my invention to the structures shown and described, as many modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A device of the kind described comprising a tube having a seat, and a longitudinally movable valve adapted to fit said seat and having a stem extending through the outer end of said tube, the outer portion of the stem having a transversely divided spring ring portion arranged to clampingly engage said tube for holding the valve in the open position, substantially as set forth. v

2. A device of the kind describedcomprising' a tube having in one end a seat, and a valve adapted to fit said seat and having a stem extending through the outer end of said tube, the outer end of the stem having a transversely dividedresilient ring portion disposed longitudinally of the stem and arranged to receive and elalnpingly engage the outer end of said tube for holding the valve in the open position, substantially as set forth. v

3. A device of the kind described coinprising a tube having at its inner end a conical seat, and a conical valve fitted to said seat and having a stem extending through the outer end of said tube, the valve being longitudinally movable to and from the closed position, the valve stem having at its outer end a transversely divided ring portion disposed longitudinally relative of the stem and arranged to receive the outer edge and one side of said, tube and to c lainpingly engage the inner and outer sides of the tube for holding the valve in the open position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRED H. ETZENHOUSER. 

